Hydraulically-motivated, rope-operated feed device for rock drills and the like

ABSTRACT

An elongate frame, preferably comprising a pair of structural channels secured together in mutually spaced, back-to-back, parallel relationship, has a trackway along a longitudinal face mounting a carriage for reciprocation. An elongate, hydraulic power cylinder unit is secured to and extends along one end portion of the frame and carries at its work stroke extension end tandem idler sheaves about which are looped respective ropes that extend to and from respective idler sheaves at opposite ends of the frame. One set of ends of such ropes are attached to opposite ends of the carriage, respectively, and the other set of ends are anchored to the frame adjacent opposite ends thereof, respectively. The cylinder of the power unit preferably has an easily removable cylinder head through which extends an elongate piston rod that carries the tandem sheaves externally of the cylinder and that is guided and supported by cooperative means secured to such rod and to the frame, respectively.

United States Patent 1 OLeary HYDRAULICALLY-MOTIVATED,

ROPE-OPERATED FEED DEVICE FOR ROCK DRILLS AND THE LIKE [76] Inventor: Paul C. OLeary, Post Office Box 17314, Salt Lake City, Utah [22] Filed: Apr. 5, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 131,133

Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser AttorneyP,hilip A. Mallinckrodt June 12, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT An elongate frame, preferably comprising a pair of structural channels secured together in mutually spaced, back-to-back, parallel relationship, has a trackway along a longitudinal face mounting a carriage for reciprocation. An elongate, hydraulic power cylinder unit is secured to and extends along one end portion of the frame and carries at its work stroke extension end tandem idler sheaves about which are looped respective ropes that extend to and from respective idler sheaves at opposite ends of the frame. One set of ends of such ropes are attached to opposite ends of the carriage, respectively, and the other set of ends are an chored to the frame adjacent opposite ends thereof, respectively. The cylinder of the power unit preferably has an easily removable cylinder head through which extends an elongate piston rod that carries the tandem sheaves externally of the cylinder and that is guided and supported by cooperative means secured to such rod and to the frame, respectively.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENFED m1 2 ms EMU i U? 2 .M a I w MM INVENTOR. PAUL c; OLEARY @OQQOOG ATTORNEY PATENIED JUN 1 2 I973 SHEEIZWZ INVENTOR PAUL C. O'LEARY h H u r25. wwi... E

AT TORNE Y BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field The invention is in the field of mechanical apparatus adapted to advance a tool through a rectilinear work stroke and to then retract it through a similar though opposite return stroke.

2. State of the Art Wire ropes have been utilized heretofore in one way or another to reciprocate tools or other structures through work and return strokes along a supporting frame. Specifically, apparatus of this kind has heretofore been used with some degree of success for advancing the drill bit of a rock drill through a drilling stroke and thereafter retracting it from the drilled hole. However, there have been numerous difficulties with such apparatus and acceptance by industry has not been as widespread nor as enthusiastic as it should be based on the inherent advantages of this type of apparatus as against other types designed to serve the same purposes.

Objective In the making of the present invention, it was a principal object to provide a structurally rugged, easily assemblecl and disassembled machine of the type concerned that would perform consistently over long periods of hard usage under difficult environmental conditions, such as in quarrying and underground mining.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, an elongate hydraulic power cylinder unit carries tandem idler sheaves at its work stroke extension end. Separate wire ropes have ends attached, fore and aft, respectively, to a carriage mounted for reciprocation along a trackway, which is preferably provided by a set of flanges ofa pair of structural channels secured together in mutually spaced, back-to-back, parallel relationship. The wire ropes are respectively looped around the tandem sheaves and about other idler sheaves at opposite ends of the trackway, and have their other ends securely anchored near the ends of the trackway.

Structural channels arranged as aforesaid are particularly advantageous for the frame. Not only do they effectively provide the trackway for the reciprocating carriage, but rails can be welded or otherwise secured to their confronting inner faces to effectively guide and support the sheave-carrying end of an elongate piston rod, which preferably provides work stroke extension of the power cylinder unit. Moreover, the cylinder of such power unit can be provided with a cylinder' head removably fastened to the channels by throughbolts which transfer thrust to the structural channels of the frame and are easily removed to greatly facilitate disassembly of such power cylinder unit.

THE DRAWING An embodiment of the device representing the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a standard rock drill mounted on the feed device of the invention;

FIG. 2, a top plan view of the feed device of FIG. I, with rock drill removed;

FIG. 3, an enlarged horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, with intermediate portions broken out;

FIG. 4, an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 44, FIG. 2, with intermediate portions broken out;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8, enlarged vertical sections taken on the lines 5-5, 66, 7-7, and 88, respectively of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT As illustrated, the device of the invention has a carriage 10 adapted to slidably mount a standard rock drill 1 1 for back and forth reciprocative movement along a predetermined rectilinear path established by a trackway l2a formed along the top of a structural frame 12, so as to feed and retract a drill steel 13 relative to the work.

Frame 12 advantageously comprises a pair of structural steel channels 14 mutually spaced back-to-back in parallel relationship, with trackway 12a being provided by the upper flanges 14a of such channels. Cross braces 15, positioned at intervals along the length of frame 12, are welded in place flush with the upper and lower flanges 14a and 14b of channel 14. Carriage 10 has depending guide members l0a, FIG. 6, at each side thereof that engage the edges of channel flanges 14a and secure such carriage for sliding movement along trackway 124.

A hydraulic power cylinder unit is provided for actuating carriage 10. In the form illustrated a piston, comprising an elongate rectilinear piston rod 16, FIGS. 3 and 4, having a piston head 16a, is fitted into an elongate cylinder that extends along one end portion of frame 12 between structural channels 14. Such cylinder is advantageously provided by an open-ended length of cylindrical tubing 17, having its outer end closed by a cylinder head 18 and its opposite end (intermediate the length of the frame) sealed by an easily removed cylinder head 19 through which piston rod 16 slidably extends.

As shown, see especially FIG. 3, cylinder head 18 is a heavy steel plate welded in position transversely of and between channels 14 and recessed at 18a to receive the corresponding end of the length of tubing 17. Cylinder head 19, FIGS. 3 and 7, is a steel casting having a machined circular hole. 19a extending therethrough for slidably receiving piston rod 16 and being appropriately recessed therearound at 19b to receive the corresponding end of tubing 17 and otherwise recessed to accommodate packing and wiper means 20.

Tubing I7 is advantageously freely fitted into recess 19b of cylinder head 19, and throughbolts 21, see especially FIG. 7, are preferably employed to secure such cylinder head 19 in place between channels 14. In this manner, the power cylinder unit can be easily disassembled for replacing piston seals 22 or for any other purposes as and when required. Moreover, original assembly of the device is accomplished quickly and easily and piston thrust is transferred by the throughbolts to channels 14. An O-ring seal is advantageously used to seal the joinder between tubing 17 and cylinder head 19.

The hydraulic power cylinder unit actuates carriage 10, and thereby feeds and retracts rock drill 11 with respect to the work, by means of separate wire ropes 23 and 24. Rope 23 has one end fastened to the front of carriage 10 by connecting means 25, FIGS. 2 and 4, and extends forwardly along frame 12 between tracks 14a to loop around an idler sheave 26, FIG. returns along the lower part of frame 12 to loop around one of the tandem idler sheaves, 27, FIG. 3, carried by piston rod 16; and continues on to a fixed anchorage at 23a in cylinder head 18. Rope 24 has one end fastened to the rear of carriage by connecting means 28, FIG. 2, and extends rearwardly to loop around a sheave 29, FIG. 6; returns along the lower part of frame 12 to loop around the other one, 30, FIG. 3, of the tandem sheaves carried by piston rod 16; and continues on to a fixed anchorage at 24a in a crosswall 31, FIG. 4, between channels 14.

Sheave 26 is mounted for free rotation on a shaft 26a fixed in and extending between supporting walls 32 that additionally serve to mount drill bit centralizer 33. Sheave 29 is similarly mounted on a shaft 29a fixed in and extending between supporting walls 34.

Tandem idler sheaves 27 and 30 are similarly mounted on shafts 27a and 30a, respectively, that are fixed in and extend between the bifurcations 3511, FIG. 3, of a bifurcated yoke 35 rigidly affixed to the work end of piston rod 16, as by welding reduced tip 16b of such piston rod within a receiving opening in the base 35b of such yoke.

Bifurcations 35a of yoke 35 are longitudinally recessed externally of such yoke, as at 350, FIG. 8, to receive guide rails 36, respectively, that are secured to the inside, confronting faces 14c of the back of structural channels 14, intermediate the breadths of such backs. As such, yoke 35 serves to ride rails 36 as a slide at the sheave end of piston rod 16, and guide rails 36 serve to support such yoke and the piston rod itself within the protective confines of the structural channels 14 of the frame 12.

The hydraulic power cylinder is supplied with pressure fluid from the usual hydraulic system normally employed with equipment of this type. For advancing rock drill 11 along trackway 12a during the feed or work stroke of the device, pressure fluid is supplied through hose 37, FIG. 5, and port 38, FIGS. 3 and 5, to the front of piston head 16a under the control of a valve (not shown) provided in the hydraulic system. As the piston is forced backwardly, tandem sheaves 27 and 30 at the working end of piston rod 16 force wire ropes 23 and 24 to pull carriage lfl forwardly along trackway 12a, meanwhile forcing hydraulic fluid from the cylinder .space 17a back of piston head 16a to the supply reservoir (not shown) of the hydraulic system by way of port 39, FIG. 7, in cylinder head 19 and hose 40 connected thereto.

To facilitate installation in any given instance, alternative ports 38a, FIG. 5, and 39a, FIG. 7, are preferably provided at the opposite side of the device and are sealed off by respective pipe plugs 41 and 42 when ports 38 and 39 are connected with the hydraulic system.

For the return stroke of the piston and retraction of carriage 10 to its original position shown in FIG. 1, pressure fluid from the hydraulic system is directed by appropriate operation of the control valve through hose 40 and port 39 into the cylinder space 17a, FIG. 3, back of piston head 16a, thereby forcing the piston forwardly and forcing hydraulic fluid from the cylinder in front of such piston head by way of port 38 and hose 37.

With the arrangement shown, carriage 10 is made to travel approximately twice as far on each stroke as the length of piston rod 16. Moreover, the extended piston rod is well behind the work zone in an area reasonably protected from drilling debris.

It should be realized that the device of the invention can be applied to any tool or can be used under any appropriate circumstances and is not restricted to feeding and retracting a rock drill unit as here specifically disclosed. Thus, although the invention is here illustrated and described with respect to a particular construction presently contemplated as the best mode of carrying out such invention, it should be realized that various changes may be made the-rein and other forms of construction adopted without departing from the proper scope of the inventive concepts as defined by the claims that here follow.

I claim:

1. A hydraulically-motivated, rope-operated, feed device for rock drills and the like, comprising an elongate frame made up of a pair of structural channels secured together in mutually spaced, back-to-back, parallel relationship, so that a set of the longitudinal flanges of said channels form a trackway along one of the longitudinal faces of the frame; a carriage mounted on said trackway for reciprocative travel therealong, said carriage being adapted to receive a rock drill or the like for reciprocative travel therewith; a hydraulic power cylinder unit extending longitudinally of said frame in-between the opposing backs of said structural channels and along one end portion of the frame and comprising a cylinder secured to the frame and a piston having an elongate piston rod extending from said cylinder for work-stroke extension in-between the backs of the structural channels of the frame; cooperative piston rod supporting and guiding means at the extension end of the piston rod, said supporting and guiding means comprising mutually spaced and parallel rails secured to the said backs of the respective structural channels of said frame in mutually opposed relationship intermediate the breadths of said backs, and re spective, cooperating riders secured to the extension end of the piston rod and engaging said rails for riding therealong and for support thereby; a pair of sheaves carried in tandem by the work-stroke extension end of said piston rod; idler sheave means at opposite ends of the frame; a rope having one end attached to one end of the carriage and extending along the frame to loop around the sheave means at the corresponding end of the frame, extending back along the frame to loop around the corresponding one of the tandem sheaves,

and again extending along the frame to a secure anchorage adjacent the said corresponding end of the frame; a second rope having one end attached to the opposite end of the carriage and extending along the frame to loop around the sheave means at the corresponding other end of the frame, extending back along the frame to loop around the corresponding other of the tandem sheaves, and again extending along the frame to a secure anchorage adjacent the said corresponding other end of the frame; and means for operatively connecting the power cylinder unit with a hydraulic system.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the riders at the extension end of the piston rod are provided by through which the piston rod extends, and an openended tube engaging and held in place by and between the cylinder heads, said tube being freely engaged by the'intermediately placed cylinder head and the latter being removably secured to the frame. 

1. A hydraulically-motivated, rope-operated, feed device for rock drills and the like, comprising an elongate frame made up of a pair of structural channels secured together in mutually spaced, back-to-back, parallel relationship, so that a set of the longitudinal flanges of said channels form a trackway along one of the longitudinal faces of the frame; a carriage mounted on said trackway for reciprocative travel therealong, said carriage being adapted to receive a rock drill or the like for reciprocative travel therewith; a hydraulic power cylinder unit extending longitudinally of said frame in-between the opposing backs of said structural channels and along one end portion of the frame and comprising a cylinder secured to the frame and a piston having an elongate piston rod extending from said cylinder for work-stroke extension in-between the backs of the structural channels of the frame; cooperative piston rod supporting and guiding means at the extension end of the piston rod, said supporting and guiding means comprising mutually spaced and parallel rails secured to the said backs of the respective structural channels of said frame in mutually opposed relationship intermediate the breadths of said backs, and respective, cooperating riders secured to the extension end of the piston rod and engaging said rails for riding therealong and for support thereby; a pair of sheaves carried in tandem by the work-stroke extension end of said piston rod; idler sheave means at opposite ends of the frame; a rope having one end attached to one end of the carriage and extending along the frame to loop around the sheave means at the corresponding end of the frame, extending back along the frame to loop around the corresponding one of the tandem sheaves, and again extending along the frame to a secure anchorage adjacent the said corresponding end of the frame; a second rope having one end attached to the opposite end of the carriage and extending along the frame to loop around the sheave means at the corresponding other end of the frame, extending back along the frame to loop around the corresponding other of the tandem sheaves, and again extending along the frame to a secure anchorage adjacent the said corresponding other end of the frame; and means for operatively connecting the power cylinder unit with a hydraulic system.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the riders at the extension end of the piston rod are provided by a bifurcated yoke secured to the piston rod and rotatably mounting the tandem sheaves.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the cylinder of the hydraulic power cylinder unit comprises a cylinder head adjacent to one end of the frame, a cylinder head intermediate the length of the frame and through which the piston rod extends, and an open-ended tube engaging and held in place by and between the cylinder heads, said tube being freely engaged by the intermediately placed cylinder head and the latter being removably secured to the frame. 